The CEO of insurance giant Axa has said polarisation and the decline in social and political cohesion are creating new risks which create major challenges for global business and nations.

Thomas Buberl made his comments as Axa published its 12^th Future Risks Report, which revealed an unprecedented surge in the sense of fragmentation and vulnerability in the face of global risks.

It has led to the underwriter calling for uncertainty into action by accelerating the emergence of concrete solutions and by strengthening prevention.

Axa said the report confirms a worrying trend: 93% of the global population perceive a growing number of crises (up 3 percentages points from 2024), with a direct impact on their daily lives (up 2 percentage points from 2024).

More alarmingly, 59% of citizens believe that their country is fragmented, or even beset by deep social fractures (up to 77% in France and 65% in the United States).

“Fragmentation is not a fatality; it reflects a global landscape where interdependent risks require a response that aligns with the stakes. Insurers have a responsibility: to be architects of resilience, blending expertise, innovation, and solidarity. That is our purpose,” said Buberl.

The  report said insurers have a key role in driving the development of new solutions In the face of increasingly interconnected risks.

The top ten risks identified by the report for 2025 are:

• Climate change
• Geopolitical insecurity
• Cyber security
• AI and big data
• Social tensions and movements
• Natural resources and biodiversity
• Macroeconomics
• Energy risks
• Financial stability risks
• Demographics

The report also revealed a paradox in preferred approaches with 77% of experts calling for global solutions, while governments favour risk-by-risk specific responses.

Buberl added: “Every era presents its own challenges. This 2025 edition highlights a world of rising polarisations confronting the globalisation of risks. It questions how to combat our increasingly interconnected crises.

“Social fragmentation is more than ever a threat to our society’s wellbeing, fuelled by demographic changes, geopolitical tensions, misinformation and, more indirectly, by key challenges such as climate change and its repercussions – natural disasters, degradation of natural resources, food shortages.”

He continued: “This year, the report shows how this polarisation and the decline in social and political cohesion generate additional threats. Whether it’s the crisis of liberal democracy or the growing distrust in public authorities’ ability to effectively manage crises, the feeling of vulnerability is at its peak, both among experts and the general population.

“At the dawn of this global shift where our frameworks are being questioned, we need strategic thinking, collective leadership, and innovative ideas.

“We must co-build a clear vision of the future, deepen cooperation in critical risk areas, and create effective agile frameworks.”

Buberl concluded: “Global challenges – such as climate change, risks related to artificial intelligence, or financial instability – require more structured international cooperation and enhanced regulation.

“We have the means. Public-private sector cooperation is vital to leverage both the experience and the expertise of businesses in continuously adapting, managing risks, and responding to crises. In this complex environment, insurers also play a crucial role, not only in preventing and mitigating risks, but also in helping to build a more cohesive and resilient society.”